Antoine Griezmann has said he is determined to “turn the page” on the three-year anniversary of the Paris attacks, which the France international’s sister survived. A series of attacks of Nov. 13, 2015 claimed the lives of 130 people across the French capital, with at least three deaths outside the Stade de France as France played Germany in an international friendly. The majority of the victims that night were at the Bataclan theatre, where spectators had gone to watch a rock concert. Among them was Griezmann’s sister Maud. “My sister was there so I have a close relative who went…
Author: David Folami
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson has said he feels the pressure of heightened expectations as a result of his costly price tag. Alisson joined Liverpool from Roma in a deal worth £65 million, which at the time made him the world’s most expensive goalkeeper. Chelsea would sign Kepa Arrizabalaga for £71.5m a few weeks later, although Alisson still considers his fee to be a burden. “I came here for a high price and some people expect to me to be perfect — it is not easy, but I’m trying,” the 26-year-old told a news conference while on international duty with Brazil. “It…
In a somewhat unlikely turn of events, World Cup winners Olivier Giroud and Presnel Kimpembe have made their acting debuts. The two France internationals have provided voices for fairly major characters in a new Spider-Man animation that is set to air next month. The duo have laid down their vocal talents alongside French actor Stephane Bak and singer Camelia Jordana. Giroud plays the Green Goblin (“Bouffon Vert”) in the French-dubbed version of “Spider-Man: New Generation,” while Kimpembe fills the part of Scorpion, another villainous foe of our web-slinging hero. But Chelsea striker Giroud and Paris Saint-Germain defender are far from…
Andres Iniesta has said it would not upset him to see his former Barcelona teammate Neymar play for Real Madrid one day. Neymar, who joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 a world-record €222 million transfer after four successful seasons alongside Iniesta at Barca, has been repeatedly linked with Real Madrid. When Iniesta was asked about that possibility, he told Cadena Ser: “It wouldn’t hurt me because they are decisions that if they happen, happen. Madrid would reinforce themselves with a unique player.” Iniesta, who left Barca for Japanese club Vissel Kobe after last season, doesn’t think such a move would hurt…
Victor Lindelof has been named Sweden’s top footballer in 2018, with 10-time winner Zlatan Ibrahimovic missing out on the award for the second year running. Lindelof was awarded the Golden Ball trophy during a ceremony in Stockholm on Monday evening after helping Sweden reach the World Cup quarterfinals and establishing himself as a regular at United. It’s the second year in a row that the player-of-the-year award goes to a centre-back, with Andreas Granqvist winning in 2017, ending a run of Ibrahimovic winning 10 times in succession. “It means a lot to me, I’m incredibly proud,” Lindelof told newspaper Aftonbladet,…
Wayne Rooney has defended his decision to make a farewell appearance for England and hopes it becomes a tradition for players to be honoured. The D.C. United forward will win his 120th England cap on Thursday after Gareth Southgate sanctioned an appearance in the friendly with the United States at Wembley, two years after announcing his international retirement. “Everyone is entitled their opinions but the most important thing is speaking with FA we both felt it was right,” Rooney told a news conference. “The players I’ve spoke to agree and as a country, we haven’t done anything like this before.…
Danny Welbeck has promised to come back “stronger than ever before” as he returned home from the hospital after having two operations on his broken ankle. Welbeck posted a photo on social media showing himself on crutches and with his right foot in a cast on Tuesday. But he was also giving a thumbs up and smiling, while striking an upbeat tone when thanking fans “for all the love and support” he has received. “No doubt I will be back stronger than ever before. Recovery grind starts now,” Welbeck wrote. The England international broke his ankle during Thursday’s Europa League…
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s first-ever strike for the LA Galaxy won him Major League Soccer’s Goal of the Year on Tuesday. Ibrahimovic, 37, scored twice in his debut for the Galaxy helping the club rally to beat local rivals LAFC 4-3 on March 31, the first coming from a swerving 40-yard volley that beat Tyler Miller to level the score. The former Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain star then headed home the winner to cap a spectacular substitute appearance in front of the home crowd at StubHub Center. Ibrahimovic joins Carlos Ruiz, 2002, and Landon Donovan, 2009, as the third Galaxy player…
If — even for a short while — you can suspend your allegiances, silence your biases and stow what you know and reject what you suspect, you can watch Manchester City and admire them as the highest expression of football, the perfect synthesis of style and functionality. It’s a tall order. Most of those reading this will have allegiances, and they will be to teams other than City. You may dislike City because you disagree with how their owners choose to run the country they rule (or possibly the fact that they rule the country at all) or you may…
Real Madrid announced on Tuesday that interim manager Santiago Solari has signed a contract to make him the permanent coach of the club until 2021. Solari, 42, had been coaching the club’s Castilla youth side and stepped up when Julen Lopetegui was sacked after the 5-1 Clasico defeat at Barcelona in October. On Monday a source at the Spanish federation [RFEF] told ESPN FC that all the relevant paperwork had been filed to change Solari’s status to permanent — with league rules mandating that an interim coach can only take the team for a maximum two week period. Madrid were…
The Rams are still building their fan base in Los Angeles, but there’s been plenty of star power out supporting the team in the past couple years. On Sunday before their game against the Seattle Seahawks, Jay-Z was spotted on the sideline at the Coliseum. He was greeted by Todd Gurley, who’s represented by Jay-Z’s agency, Roc Nation Sports. Steven Jackson was also spending some time with Hov, as captured by J.B. Long, the Rams’ play-by-play man. Here are a few more tweets showing Jay on the sideline before kickoff, presumably supporting the Rams and not their division-rival Seahawks.
Even though she hasn’t released any new music or toured in the last 12 months, Adele’s fortune is reported to have grown by £15 million over the past year. The London-born singer is said to now be worth £140 million, up from £125 million the previous year. A 121-date tour which ended in the summer of 2017 netted her £42 million alone. Back in 2015, when she released her album 25, she reflected that she was still living the same, low-key life as before, but now shopped at Waitrose rather than Tesco. She said: ‘I want to have a real…
Skales is out with the visuals to his latest single, ‘Currency’ featuring Davido. The Baseline act singer, who earlier in the year released his ”Mr Love” album is not slowing down anytime soon as he teams up with DMW Boss, Davido on this end of the year banger, ‘Currency.’ The video was directed by Bash Em.
2face Idibia is a happy dad right now after another of his son bagged an award. His son, Justin bagged the ‘Black Students Achievement Award’ for academic success in Howard County, US. Justin’s mum, Pero, who could not hide her excitement shared the news on Instagram, she wrote; ‘Thank you Justin for making me so proud. You are destined for greatness. God’s special gift to me. My son Agaba’idu, my heart, my joy, my everything. I couldn’t have missed this for anything in the world. Love you Son. Black students achievement award for academic success’. This is coming few days…
Wizkid teams up with Nana Rogues in the visuals to his latest single, ‘To The Max’ featuring Not3s. It’s a power collaboration as renowned UK producer, Nana Rogues enlists Wizkid and Not3s on his single, ‘To The Max’ released earlier in August. The visuals was directed by Silent Tapes.
Atlanta producer Will Packer and actor/musician Chris “Ludacris” Bridges are hosting a high-ticket fundraiser at Packer’s Atlanta home Sunday, October 21 for Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams. Their wives Heather Packer and Eudoxie Bridges are also co chairs. Tickets started at $1,000 for the 4 p.m. event. (The $1,000 tickets are sold out. Minimum price as of Saturday is $2,500.) Packer, in an exclusive interview Saturday, said the host committee has already raised well into the six figures. Among the celebrities who have contributed to Abrams’ campaign and are part of the hosting committee include many of Packer’s African-American friends…
Dabota Lawson, after some deep thinking says one of her biggest regrets is getting married in 2014. The former beauty queen and mother of one took to her Instagram page on Monday, November 12, 2018, where she poured out her feelings. According to her, she’s not so thankful for everything that has happened to her and wished she had made some right decisions in life which includes getting married in 2014. “This weekend I spent a lot of time thinking and talking about past events in my life. My friends kept saying Dabota everything happens for a reason and you…
Halsey and Lil Wayne shared the SNL stage, and they also share an astrological sign. The bond in both being Libras apparently inspired some new ink just before their performance Saturday night (Nov. 10). Showing off a photo of a tattoo — with the words “sins” and “forgiveness” surrounding a scale — on social media, Halsey took a moment to express her gratitude to Lil Wayne for drawing its design for her. “On my Libra scale I’m weighin sins and forgiveness,” Halsey wrote, quoting a lyric from Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter IV track “She Will.” “Got this yatted by @jonboytattoo…
Simi supported by the likes of Wizkid, Adekunle Gold and Falz held the UK audience spellbound at her headline concert on Sunday, November 11th. The event which was organized by Smade Entertainment took place at the O2 Academy, Islington arena and witnessed a sold out audience as Simi continues to spread her music to the global audience. The evening’s opening acts included DEM3Dancers, NC Grey, Selimax, Davina, DamiBliz, and Bimbi Philips, with Mr Eazi also making an appearance. Playing with an array of back up singers and live band, Simi who appeared in different glitzy costumes was a delight on…
Peter Obi, the vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Omotola Jalade Ekeinde led movie buffs and festivalias to the opening night of the 2018 Africa International Film Festival, AFRIFF. The film festival kicked off in Lagos state, Nigeria on Sunday, November 10, 2018. The opening night which held at Genesis Deluxe Cinemas, was attended by the founder of AFRIFF, Chioma Ude, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Gideon Okeke, Hilda Dokubo, Ego Boyo and Clarence Chukwurah. Other dignitaries include filmmakers and film entrepreneurs such as Ini Edo, Ken Erics, Femi Jacobs, Francis Nwochei, Fred Amata, Uru Eke, Sylvia Oluchi,…